Oil seal



June 12, 1934.

W. P. LANSING OIL SEAL Filed July 26, 193:5

INVENTOR Ray/110m? P Lana/n7 A onun Patented June 12, 1934 UNITED STA E PATENT OFFICE This invention'relates oil sealmeans, andmore particularly to means for preventing the seepage of oil into the housings of engine start- -ingdevices. T l l It has heretofore been proposed to provide starters of the inertia typeforinternal combustion engines; As is well understood in the art, the operation of starters of this character depends upon storage of energy in a flywheel which is brought up to high speed byimanual or power operation, the high speed of the flywheel being attained through multiple gearing positioned in the starter "housing; The stored energy in the flywheel is employed at the will of the operator in cranking theengine.

For the most partinertia starters are attached to the rear end of the engine crank casewith the starter jaw in alinement with a jaw formed onfthe engine crank shaft or an jaw to transfer the energy of the flywheel to the crankshaft. It is highly desirable to prevent the seepage of oil from the engine crank case into the starter housing, since this oil renders. it extremely difllcult, and in certain instances impossible. to bring the flywheel up to the desired speed of rotation, due to the'braking effect of the oil whichfrequently"becomes highlyviscous. I

Accordingly, it is an object ofthe present invention. to provide a novel oil seal for preventing lubricating oil in the engine crank case fromseeping into the starter housing. Another object of this invention is to provide noveloil seal means embodying a baiile plate which acts as apilot to facilitate mountingthe starter on the engine crank case. i i i e Other objects include the provision of a light, durable, simple and inexpensive'oil seal which may be readily installed and which is so constituted thatthe parts may be readily renewed without disassembly of the" starter mechanism. joneernbodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawing, whereinlikereference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views; It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for purposes of illustration only and' is not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being bad for thispurpose to the appended claims. i

In the drawing-3 Fig. 1 is a perspective oi an inertia starter provided with one embodiment of an" oil seal extension thereof, the starter jaw being moved a flywheel 11 that is adapted to be rotated at into engagement with the engine crankshaft formed-in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a' detail, sectional view of the means constituting the preferred form ofthe oil seal;

Fig; 3 1s an axial sectional view illustrating theoil seal mounted in cooperative relation with. a starter of the type illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective illustrating the means by which pressure is exerted to maintain an effective seal.

In the form shown, the starter comprises a housing constituted by aninner section! provided with a flange 4a that is adapted to be securedby screws 5 to an engine crank case 6. The-housing also includes an outer section '7 that is removably attached to the outer face of section. 4, as by means of screws 8. Rotatably mounted on ball bearings 9 mounted in a hub 10 formed in the outer face of housing section 'lis high speed. A light, sheet-metal cover 12 en: closes and protects the flywheel and is removably secured to the outer face of housing section 7 in any suitable manner.

Either power or manual means may be providedfor storing energy in theinertia member, i. e., for rotating flywheel 11 at high speed. As shown, the starter includes manual means only for this purpose, said meanscomprising a rotatably* mounted cranking shaft 13which ex-. tends substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of a the flywheel, and which. carries on the end thereof that projects exteriorly of the housing, a member, such as pin 14, to receive=a hand crank (not shown) for rotating said shaft. Rigidly secured to the inner end of shaft 13 is a bevel gear 15 that meshes with a bevel gear 16 which is rigidly attached to the outer end or a'sleeve 17 drivably connected in any suitable manner to the closed end 18 of a cup-shaped member or barrel. -19 rotatably mounted on ball bearings 20 and 20a in the housing section 4. 'Rotatably mounted in any suitable manner on the outer face of the closed. end of barrel 19 are three planetary gears 21, one of which is shown in section, the other two being omitted in the drawing to avoid obscuring the showing of the adjacent parts. The gears21, which are angularly spaced at 120 degree intervals relative to the closed end of barrel 19, are surrounded by and in mesh with an internal gear 22 which is rigidly attached to housing section 4 as by means of studs 23. The planetarygears also mesh with a sun gear 24 which is rotatably mounted on sleeve 17 and 110 which is preferably .formed integrally with an internal spur gear 25. Any rotary movement imparted to barrel 19 acts -on the planetary gears 21 and sun gear 24 to rotate the spur gear 25 which meshes with a pinion 26 that is rigidly connected in any suitable manner to a shaft 27. Preferably, the shaft 27 is rotatably mounted in a hub 28 formed in housing section '7. Drivably attached in any suitable manner to shaft 27 closely adjacent pinion 26 is a bellshaped member 29 which surrounds a portion of hub 28 and which is provided on its larger end with a series of teeth constituting a spur gear 30 that meshes with a pinion 31 formed on a shaft 32 that is keyed to the hub of the flywheel 11. Rotation of the cranking shaft 13 is transmitted through the gearing and barrel described above to the flywheel, whereby the flywheel may be rotated at very high speed.

After sufficient energy has been stored in the flywheel 11 this energy may be transmitted through a starter jaw or driving member 33 to a corresponding jaw 34 provided on the crank shaft of the engine or an extension thereof, means being provided, and operable at the will of the operator, tomove starter jaw 33 longitudinally into meshing engagement with jaw 34. The energy stored in the flywheel is now effective to crank the engine. As shown, this means comprises a threaded shaft 35 which is mounted for rotary and longitudinal movement within an interiorly threaded nut 36 positioned in barrel 19 and drivably attached thereto in a manner to be described hereafter. The engine end of shaft 35 is exteriorly splined to receive the splined portion 330. of clutch jaw 33. Extending longitudinally and slidably through threaded shaft 35 and through a central opening inthe hub of jaw 33 is a rod 37 which extends outwardly to a point closely adjacent the pinion 31. Intermediate its ends, rod 37 is provided with a shoulder which is normally in abutting engagement with the outer end of threaded shaft 35. Interposed between the hub of jaw 33 and shaft 35 and surrounding rod 37 is a. coil spring 38 which yieldingly reslsts movement of jaw 33 towards said threaded shaft. The clutch jaw is maintained in operative engagement with rod 37, as'by means of a nut 39, threaded onto the outer end of said rod and normally in engagement with the hub of the starter jaw. Pivotally connected to the outer end of rod 3'7 is a lever arm 40 rigidly attached to a rock shaft 41 (Figs. 1 and 4) which extends outwardly through housing section 7 and has rigidly connected thereto a bell crank lever 42. A spring 42a is coiled about the rock shaft 41 with one end abutting the housing and the other end turned to engage the arm 40 and thus exert a constant pressure tending to hold the rod 37 in the position indicated in Fig. 1, in which position the rearward surface of the jaw 33 presses upon the oil sealing parts (to be further described) and thus insures, in conjunction with the cooperating means (also to be described) the maintenance of an effective sealing action. The spring 42a has the additional function of resisting any tendency of the jaw 33 to move toward the engine member 34. When it is desired to effect'such a movement, in order to transmit starting torque to the engine crank shaft, the operator must exert, through the bell crank lever 42, a force sufficient to overcome the resistance of the spring 42a.

When this is done, rod 3'7 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, and jaw 33 is moved into meshing engagement with the jaw 34. The energy in the flywheel is now effective to start the motor.

Preferably a yielding driving connection is provided between the starter gearing and jaw 33 to prevent any damage to the parts which m'ght result from an instantaneous application, to the engine crank shaft, of the large amount of energy stored in the flywheel. As shown, this yielding connection is constituted by a multiple disk clutch comprising a .plurality of friction disks 43, certain of said disks being splined to the inner surface of barrel 19 and the remaining portion of said disks, which are in interleaving relation with the first named portion, are splned to the outer surface of the flanged nut 36. The amount of torque to be transmitted by the multiple disk clutch may be varied by means of a plurality of coil springs 44 which are adapted to vary the frictional engagement of the clutch disks and which are ma ntained in operative engagement with said disks by means of an adjusting member 45 which is threaded into the open end of barrel 19.

In starters heretofore provided the seepage of oil from the engine crank case into the starter housing has rendered the operation of the starting mechanismextremely d fiicult, and in certain instances impossible. Various oil seals have heretofore been proposed to overcome the above difficulties, but all have proven unsatisfactoryQ For example, it has been proposed to provide felt washers between the central portion of rotating barrel 19 and the housing section 4. Such an arrangement has been unsatisfactory, however, due to the fact that barrel 19 rotates during the time that energy is being stored in the flywheel and during thet-"me that the flywheel is imparting starting errergy 'to the motor, and consequently the felt washers wear very rapidly and lose their effectiveness.

In accordance with the present invention, novel means are provided for preventing'seepage of oil around the barrel past the hub portion, of jaw 33, and past the opening in the hub of jaw 33 through which rod 37 slidably extends. For this purpose there, is fitted over the engine end of the starter a bafiie plate 46 which, in the form shown, is approximately bell-shaped and which may be pressed from sheet-metal. The larger or outer end of the bafiie plate is provided with a laterally projecting flange 47 adapted to abut against the flange 4a of the inner housing section, the flange 47 being provided with openings which aline with the openings formed in flange 4a to receive screws 5. Thus, when the starter is mounted on the engine crank case, flange 47 is clamped by screws, 5 between flange-4a and the crank case. .Closely adjacent flange 4'7, the bafile plate is preferably provided with an annular enlargement. 48 to form a shoulder 49 that constitutes a retainer for the races of ball bearing 20a. The central portion 50 of the baffle plate is substantially cylindrical in form, but intermediate said cylindrical portion and the inner end 51 there is provided a somewhat coni-, cal portion 52 and an inwardly extending and substantially flat portion 53 that constitutes a supporting surface for the outer half of an annular or ring-shaped oil seal washer 54. Preferably, this oil seal washer is formed of flexible material such as leather or'the like.

Suitable means are provided for'securing the washer to portion 53 of the bafile platei In the form shown, a plurality of, rivets 55 are employed for this purpose and preferably said rivets extend through the baille plate, the washer and a narrow ring 56 which extends around the face of washer 54 closely adjacent the periphery thereof. Washer 54 is provided with a central opening through which extends the hubportion 33a of the starter jaw and this opening is of a less diameter than the inner diameter of the curved, end 51 of the baflle plate.

Means are provided fornormally holding the inner portion it of washer 54 tightly against, the inner face of the enlarged head of said starter jaw whereby seepage of oil past the central opening in the washeris prevented. For this purpose a tubular sleeve 57 is slidablymounted on portion 33a of the starter jaw, the outer end of said sleeve having abutting engagement with the flange of nut 36." Preferably, the inner end of sleeve 57 is provided-with a small flange which has abutting engagement with a ring 58 that is preferably formed of metal, said. ring and sleeve being adapted to. bend the inner portion of the washer 54 outwardly out of the plane of the periphery of said washer and to hold said inner portiontightly against the enlarged head of jaw 33, whereby seepage of oil from the engine crank case around the starter jaw is prevented. M a

In order to prevent seepage ofoil through the central opening in the hub, of jaw 33 there are provided two or more washers 59 and, 60 which are mounted on rod 37. and which are tightly, held against the hub portion of jaw 33 by means lfhis plate also constitutes a guard for the ele-,

ments of the, starter which. project into the crank caser Normally. the starter jaw is housed within the reduced end of the bafile plate and coacts with thering 58 and sleeve 57 to clamp washer 54, whereby an oil seal is formed. The

jaw 33 is free to be moved longitudinally by means of rod 37 intomeshing engagementwith jaw34. In theevent that it isdesired to replace washers 54 1and 59, it is unnecessary to my former application- SerialNo. 257,489, filed February, 27, ,19281 s s ,While.- one particular form of starting appara-' tus has been described-in detail, it is to be understood that the ,inventionis not limited thereto, sincethe oil seal means is adapted for use with various'other forms of starters, inertia orotherwise.- The invention is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, some of which willreadily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, while changes may be made in the details of construction, arrangement and proportion of parts, without departing 'from the spirit of-the invention. For example, the contour of the bafiie plate may be varied to conform with the type of starting mechanism to which it is applied. The member 54 may be of leather or other suitable material.

a definition of the limits of the invention. What is claimed is: y

i. In combination with an engine'crank-case, a starter having a housing, a portion of said starter protruding into said crank-case, oil seal Reference is therefore to be had, to the claims hereto appended for means for preventing seepage of oil from the crank case into the starter housing, said means including a baflle plate covering the portionof the starter within the crank-case, and a flexible member carried by the inner end of said plate and adapted for engagement with a movable element of the starter. i r

2. In combination with an engine, .a starter embodying a member movable into and-out of engagement with a member of said engine, a portion of said starter extending into the crankcase of said engirie, oil seal means for preventing seepage of oil from said crank-case into the starter comprising a bafile plate for enclosing the portion of s the starter extending into the crankcase, said plate having an opening through which the first namedmember is freely movable, and aflexible member carried by said plate and havsaid movable starter ing engagement with member.

3. Oil seal meansfor a starter of the type embodying a longitudinally movable drivingmember, comprising a baffle plate for enclosing a portion of said starter, and a flexible washer carried by said plate, said washensurrounding' engagement with said driv and having slidable ing member.

4. An oil seal for a starter of the type em i bodying a longitudinally movable driving me'm-" ber, comprising a baffle plate covering a portion of said starter and having an opening therein through which the driving member is movable and a flexible member secured to said plate and having engagement with said driving member;

5. An oil seal for a starter'of the type'embodying a longitudinally movable driving member, comprising a bafile plate, a leather washer carried thereby, and meansfor normally holding a portion of said washer with said driving member.

in close engagement I 6. An oil seal for a starter of the type embodying a longitudinally movable driving mem-' ber, comprising a baffle plate for enclosing a portion of said starter, a flexible member carried by said plateand having a portion adapted to engage said driving member, a member having engagement with said flexible member, and a sleeve engaging said last named member; I 7., An oil seal for a starter of the type embodying a longitudinally movable driving member, comprising a baffle plate enclosing a portion of said starter and having an opening through which said drivingmember extends, a flexible member carriedbysaid plate and havingv a portion projecting into said opening, a sleeve washer mounted on said driving member and adapted to engage said flexible member, and a sleeve having slidable engagement with said driving member and abutting engagement with said sleeve washer.

s 8. An oil seal for alstarter comprising a bafile plate having an opening therein, a flexible member carried by saidjbaflle plate'and having a portion projecting inwardly adjacent said openouter edge to the baille plate and extending inwardly therefrom, the inner portion of the washer being adapted to engage said driving member, a washer having engagement with the flexible washer, and a sleeve slidably mounted onthe driving member and engaging said second named washer.

10. An oil seal for a starter comprising a baffieplate enclosing a portion of the starter, and a flexible member carried by the plate and adapted to coact with said baflle plate for excluding oil from said starter.

11. An oil seal for a starter of the type embodying a longitudinally movable driving member and a rod slidably extending through said driving member for moving the same, said oil sealfcornprising a bafile plate covering a portion of said starter, a flexible member carried by said baffle plate and adapted to 'engage said driving member, means for maintaining said flexible member in engagement with said driving member, and means surrounding said rod and engaging said driving member for preventing seepage of oil.

12. In combination with an engine and a starter mounted on the crank-case of the engine and having a portion extending into said crankcase, a baflle plate clamped between said crankcase and said starter, said bafile plate covering the portion of the starter extending into the crank-case, and means carried by said baffle plate and coacting therewith to prevent seepage of oil from the crank-case into the starter.

'13. In combination with an engine and a starter mounted on the crank-case of the engine, said starter and a portion thereof extending into said crank-case and being provided with a longitudinally movable driving member, a baffle plate clamped between the crank-case of the engine and the starter, the baflle plate covering the portion of the starter extending into the crank-case, a flexible member carried by the baffle plate and having engagement with said driving member, and means having engagement with said driving member for flexing the flexible member.

14*. In combination with a starter of the type embodying a longitudinally movable driving member, the starter having a portion thereof projecting into the crank-case of the engine on which it is mounted, a bafile plate surrounding the projecting portion of said starter, a flexible washer carried by the baflle plate and having engagement with said driving member, a second flexible member and means for maintaining said last named flexible member in engagement with the driving member, said plate, washer, and flexible member being adapted to prevent seepage of oil from the engine crank-case into the starter.

15. In combination with a starter of the type embodying a longitudinally movable driving member adapted to be driven through a clutch, the starter having a portion thereof projecting into the crank-case of the engine on which it is mounted, a baffie plate surrounding the projecting portion of said starter and having an enlarged portion adapted for use as a retainer for portions of said starter, a fiexible washer carried by the baflle plate and having engagement with said driving member, a flexible member surrounding said driving member, and means for maintaining said last named flexible member in engagement with the driving member, said plate, washer, and flexible member adapted to prevent seepage of oil from the engine crankcase into the starter.

16. In combination with a starter, a longitudinally movable driving member and a rod slidably extending through said driving member, a starter having a portion thereof projecting into the crank-case of the engine on which it is mounted, a frusto-conical shaped bafile plate surrounding said projecting portion and having a portion adapted to maintain portions of the starter in proper position, a flexible washer carried by the battle plate and having engagement with said driving member, a flexible member surrounding.- said rod, means for maintaining said last named flexible member in engagement with the driving member, and means carried by said driving member for maintaining said flexible 'washer in engagement with said plate, washer, and flexible member being adapted to prevent seepage of oil from the engine crankcase.

17. In combination with a crank-case of an engine to be started and a starter of the type embodying a longitudinally movable driving member, ofan oil seal comprising a irusto-conical shaped member having a central opening therein for receivingsaid driving member, a flange terminating at the larger end of the conical shaped member for engagement with said starter and crank-case,-an intermediate portion enclosing a portion or said starter, the last said portion extending into said crank-case, a flexible washer carried by said conical shaped member, said washer surrounding and having sliding engagement with said driving member, and means for moving said washer to operable position, the said means carried by the said driving member.

18. In combination with an engine crank-case, a starter having a housing supported on said crank-case, and oil seal means for preventing seepage of oil from the crank-case into the starter housing, said means including a plate surrounding the engine engaging end of the starter, and means cooperating with said plate to seal the entire space between said plate and the moving elements of the starter.

" 19. In combination with an engine crank-case,

a starter having a member movable into and out of engagement with the engine crank-shaft, a housing surrounding said engine engaging member and supported on said crank-case, and oil seal means for preventing seepage of oil from the crank-case into the starter housing, said means-including a plate surrounding the engine engaging member, and means cooperating with said plate to seal the entire space between said plate and engine engaging member.

20. Oil seal means for a starter of the type embodying a longitudinally movable driving member, comprising a baffle plate for enclosing a portion of said starter, and a flexible washer carried by said plate, said washer surrounding and having slidable engagement with said driv- 45 ing member, and means acting constantly upon said driving member to hold the latter firmly in contact with said flexible washer and thereby insure the effectiveness of the sealing action.

21. Oil seal means for a starter or the type 1 0 embodying a longitudinally movable driving member, comprising a baflle plate for enclosing a portion of said starter, a flexible washer carried by said plate, said washer surrounding and having slidable engagement with said driving member, and means acting constantly upon said driving member to hold the latter firmly in contact with said flexible washer and thereby insure the effectiveness of the sealing action, said last named means including a rod having one end operatively connected with said driving member, a manually operable shaft operatively connected with its other end to control the longitudinal movement of the rod and driving member, and a spring coiled about said shaft to 

